Career and Technical Education:

A Guide to Middle School Curriculum Planning in Exploring Life's Work

Table of Contents

Foreword

Acknowledgements

Introduction

1. Rationale for a New Approach to Middle-Level Curriculum

   Introduction

   Changing Notions of Work and Education

   The Role of Middle Schools

   The Need for Middle-School Reform

   Exploratory and Concept Learning

   Other Educational Issues

   Conclusion

   References

    

2. The Exploring Life's Work Approach to Middle -School C&I

   A New Approach to Curriculum and Instruction

   Four Features of Effective Middle-School C&I

   Assembling a Picture Puzzle: A Metaphor for Concept Exploration

   Sources of Middle-Level Curriculum

   Lesson Planning

   Conclusion

   References

    

3. Cooperative Group Learning

   The Advantages of Cooperative Group Learning

   Understanding and Implementing Cooperative Groups

   Setting the Stage for Success

   The Role of the Teacher

   Lesson Closure: Analyzing the Group's Accomplishments

   Conclusion

   References

    

4. Exploratory Learning

   The Potential of Exploratory Learning

   Teaching in an Exploratory Mode

   Assessing Exploration

   Exploratory Learning and the "Knowledge Explosion"

   References

    

5. Concept Learning

   Making Sense of a Complex World

   How Concept Learning Is Done

   Strategies for Teaching Concept Analysis

   Conclusion

   References

    

6. The Nature of the Middle-Level Learner

   Unique Education for a Unique Time of Life

   Middle-Level Curriculum Should Consider Developmental Change

   References

    

7. Implementing the Exploring Life's Work Approach

   A Goals-Centered Curriculum

   Creating Curriculum Ownership

   Encouraging Wide Participation

   Selecting Resources for Change

   Pilot-testing Major Changes

   Writing the New Curriculum Guide

   Establishing the Implementation Plan

   References

   Management in Life's Work and the Community

   Interdependence and Technology

   Motivation: The Way of Enterprising People

   Cooperation Makes the World Go 'Round

   Communication: Action + Reaction = Interaction

    

8. Appendixes
   1. A Sample Concept Analysis of "Life's Work"
   2. Wisconsin School District Standards and Rules
   3. Middle School Career/Vocational Competencies

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Last updated on 2/25/2008 12:54:03 PM